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Not soon enough

After Thursday’s “I fought the scale and the scale won” experience, I admit I was depressed. I mean, I weigh more now than I did when I started Weight Watchers, for cripe’s sake.

The first thing I did was take myself out for lunch. Not an appropriate coping mechanism, I realize. But it is what happened.

However, knowing the too-high number on the scale provided me with the impetus to order differently. I went to Chipotle and got the bowl, sans cheese and loaded with extra veggies. No chips and guac on the side. I had something unmemorable for dinner and may or may not have eaten a snack after work.

On Friday, after running to the banks, I treated myself to a slice of pizza and Caesar salad for lunch. I hit the store and stocked up on foods like ready-to-eat salads and deli-made soup. I had soup and a salad for dinner and successfully avoided the siren call of chocolate-covered bacon.

I didn’t not eat it because I told myself I couldn’t have it. No, I gave myself permission … and realized that, while the chocolate-covered bacon was surprisingly delicious the first time it came to the office, I didn’t really want any this time. I’d had a taste and liked it, but one taste was enough.

On Saturday, I officially revived the Twitter food journal, @arlenesfood if you want to follow it. (Trust me, you don’t. It will never be as interesting as my main Twitter account, @kyree90.)

I didn’t count anything. If I had, I’d probably find out that I shouldn’t be as proud of myself as I am.

Why? Knowing the number on the scale encouraged forced me to think before I ate. In so doing, I listened to my body more.

Take Saturday’s eats as an example. Knowing I’d be at Starbucks, tempted by all those delicious-looking baked goods, I ate half an English muffin with peanut butter before I left the house. I ordered a Frappuccino light — venti because I was using my free drink coupon, but with no whip — and settled in to write.

Turns out I was in the wrong place (I read the text message about the impromptu write-in incorrectly. That’s what happens when I read something while half-asleep.) I had to pack up and head to Bookmans, still with giant Frappuccino in my hand.

I polished off said giant drink while driving to the other cafe, then ordered an iced tea to keep me hydrated while I wrote. When my friend got a chocolate-coconut macaroon and offered to share, I had just a small piece. It was delicious, but it was enough.

When the write-in broke up, it was after 1 p.m. I headed next door to Burritos Fiesta for lunch. The burrito wasn’t as huge as the ones at Chipotle, but it was still delicious — and filling. I ran home before work to pack a dinner and snacks.

Because the fridge was stocked with so many great-sounding options, I wasn’t sure what I wanted. I settled on another salad with soup. I also packed an apple, some string cheese, hummus and crackers and some cheesecake-flavored yogurt with graham crackers.

But lunch was so satisfying that I didn’t want my customary afternoon snack. I thought about snacking, but I stopped to check in with myself and realized I was full — a little bored, because we were at a lull in the work — but definitely full.

It was after 8 p.m. when I finally heated up my soup and dressed my salad.

Is that what happens when I get on the scale? I naturally monitor my intake? If so, I didn’t weigh in soon enough.

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Losing weight is easy …

... if you're in a coma, maybe. Most of us have to work at it — every day and every minute. It's not easy to make the right choices, to drink water instead of (diet) soda, pick the grilled chicken sandwich instead of a burger or choose to get up and get moving instead of lounging around in bed. After spening too long making the wrong choices, I've re-committed to a low-carb lifestyle. My choices may no longer be Weight Watchers- or Whole30- or paleo-approved, but the concept is the same: I'm still getting closer to my goal weight one choice at a time.

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Have a question, comment or suggestion? Email me at arleneawl@gmail.com

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Disclaimer

Please note that I’m not a doctor, registered dietitian or fitness expert. I'm merely sharing my experiences with weight loss, cooking and life. This is what works for me—or sometimes doesn't. That doesn't mean it will/won't work for you. When it comes to your health and fitness, do your research. Everybody is different.